If you are reading this page, chances are you or a loved one have been injured in an accident or incident that was not your fault. The journey ahead might seem daunting, but the Snohomish County personal injury lawyers at Wells Trumbull are here to guide you through the nuances of a personal injury claim in Washington to recover compensation for the injuries and related losses you have suffered due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing. Use our contact form or call (360)435-1663 for a free consultation today.
Why Hire a Snohomish Personal Injury Lawyer From Wells Trumbull?
The Snohomish personal injury attorneys at Wells Trumbull understand the devastating toll a serious accident takes on your physical, emotional, and financial well-being. We’re ready to help by putting our decades of experience behind your personal injury claim in Snohomish so you can recover your losses—known as “damages” in a personal injury claim. Our team provides the following advantages to your claim:
- A free confidential case consultation and no upfront fees. Instead, we only take our fee after we secure your compensation
- Skilled investigators to determine the negligent action that caused your truck accident and determine the correct liable party and the appropriate insurance company to provide compensation
- Our dedicated client advocates will craft a compelling case and send a demand package with evidence of liability and a carefully calculated list of your damages
- A strong track record of success in Snohomish and the surrounding Washington area will put a powerful voice behind negotiating a settlement with the insurance company
- Our experienced litigators won’t hesitate to take your case to court if it’s required to ensure you recover your losses
Our Snohomish personal injury lawyers will keep open and honest communication throughout the process and provide skilled representation to maximize your settlement or court award.
Meet Attorney Ben Wells
Ben Wells, a seasoned expert in personal injury law, shares his path from modest origins to receiving the esteemed 2020 Trial Lawyer of the Year award from the Washington State Association of Justice. Emphasizing mentorship and introspection, he underscores the significance of authenticity, establishing connections with jurors, and steadfast commitment to clients. He aims to instill these fundamental principles in budding legal professionals. For a free consultation with Ben Wells, reach out to Wells Trumbull at (360) 435-1663.
“He provided us with resources and ideas on how to best utilize the settlement money to improve my daughter’s future and continues to be a part of her support team.”
“Ben took an interest in my daughter’s well-being beyond just obtaining money for her. He provided us with resources and ideas on how to best utilize the settlement money to improve my daughter’s future and continues to be a part of her support team. Ben proved that people with developmental disabilities deserve justice and can get it if their story is truthfully told.”
Meet Attorney Joshua Trumbull
Joshua Trumbull, an experienced personal injury attorney, brings a wealth of expertise cultivated through diverse industry experiences and roles. He excels in integrating insights from various fields to address complex issues within a supportive environment. Joshua prioritizes fostering authentic connections, recognizing their significance in both personal and professional spheres. To schedule a complimentary consultation with Joshua Trumbull, contact Wells Trumbull at (360) 435-1663 today.
“They kept me informed every step of the way and forced the insurance company to do the right thing.”
“Ben Wells and his staff never wavered in their efforts to obtain a fair settlement for me. When the insurance company refused to pay, they filed a lawsuit and proceeded toward trial. Shortly before the trial date, the insurance company finally offered a fair out of court settlement of $70,000 for my injuries and damaged car. I recommend Wells Trumbull. They kept me informed every step of the way and forced the insurance company to do the right thing.”
Successful Case Result:
The Snohomish personal injury attorneys at Wells Trumbull have years of experience successfully handling a variety of personal injury cases. Our team of personal injury lawyers have received large settlements and recovered compensation for clients who have suffered from severe accident injuries. Some notable case results include:
- $2.1 Million Settlement: In March 2020, a man driving a Ford F350 truck caused an accident when he ran a red light while reaching for a dropped coffee cup. The collision left an African American man driving a Nissan Altima with head injuries, post-concussion syndrome, and neck, back, and shoulder injuries. Despite the insurance company offering only $40,000 for settlement, a lawsuit was filed, and the case went to trial in November 2023. The defense attempted to downplay the severity of the injuries, citing pre-existing conditions and alleged fraud on the part of the injured driver. However, the jury awarded $2.1 million after hearing the full story and witnessing the sincerity and vulnerability of the plaintiff. The legal team, including lead trial lawyer Ben Wells, Emily Harris, Jared Issacson, and paralegal Ashley Brogan, attributed their success to their client’s honesty and their dedication to presenting the truthful narrative with empathy and transparency.
Snohomish Personal Injury Resources and Quick Links
- Common Types of Personal Injury Claims
- Steps to Take When a Personal Injury Occurs
- Do you Have a Personal Injury Case?
- Comparative Negligence in Washington
- Statute of Limitations in Washington
- Dealing with Insurance Companies
- Why Hire a Snohomish Personal Injury Lawyer?
- Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer from Wells Trumbull
Common Types of Personal Injury Claims
In Washington, a personal injury claim can arise whenever one party’s negligence or intentional misconduct causes harm to another. This could range from a car accident on I-5 to a slip-and-fall at your favorite Snohomish County coffee shop. Types of personal injury claims that our accident victims file with our law firm include:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Catastrophic injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Construction accidents
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burn injuries
If you or a loved one was injured because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you deserve compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and even emotional trauma.
How to File a Personal Injury Claim in Snohomish County
Taking on the legal system in a personal injury claim while you’re still recovering from your injuries can feel overwhelming. A personal injury attorney in Snohomish County can help by navigating the challenging claim procedures for you while you focus on recovering. The steps in the process for filing a personal injury claim in Snohomish are as follows:
- Gathering evidence from the police report, photos, eyewitness testimony, and medical report
- Filing the lawsuit petition in the correct jurisdiction within the deadlines imposed by the state
- Sending a summons to the defendant in the case
- Entering the discovery phase where both sides request and exchange information and evidence in the case
- Sending an evidence-backed demand package to the insurance company of the party at fault in the accident
- Entering negotiations with the insurance company to attempt an ample settlement to avoid court litigation
- In about 95% of personal injury cases, the claim settles out of court so the injury victim never has to see a courtroom
- If the insurance company fails to offer an acceptable settlement amount or denies the claim completely, the case proceeds to court
- In court, both sides argue their case and a jury decides to award the injury victim an amount for damages or denies the claim
This process is not one that an injury victim should take on alone. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Snohomish can help with the claim process and court litigation if it’s required, so you can focus on your medical treatment and recovery.
How Do I Choose the Right Personal Injury Lawyer?
Choosing the right personal injury attorney for your case is essential for the best possible outcome on your claim. When seeking a personal injury attorney in Snohomish, consider the following:
- Does the attorney have a strong track record of success in similar personal injury cases?
- Does past client testimony state that they related well to the attorneys in their case, and that they approved of how well the attorney communicated? How was their level of involvement, and how satisfied were they with the results of their claim?
- Does the attorney’s reputation in the area show that they have a positive reputation with peers and the court?
- Do they ask for no money upfront but only take a reasonable percentage fee after they secure your compensation?
- Finally, during the initial consultation, do they explain the process in a way that you understand?
Your attorney should be someone who treats your case like a priority while keeping you informed throughout every step of the process.
Steps to Take When a Personal Injury Occurs
Every personal injury case and accident is different. You may be completely incapacitated at the time of the events or you may walk away yourself and go to the hospital on your own. With that, even if the details of the accident and injuries are different, victims can all take many of the same steps after an accident occurs to begin building a case against the other party. This is why it is so important to contact a personal injury attorney and establish a positive attorney-client relationship so that you can get the best results.
Step One
Give your injuries the attention they deserve. Your safety and health should always come first after an accident. It’s essential you get the medical attention you need and that you stabilize your condition first and foremost. It may be that others can help you with a first aid kit for small cuts or bruises or that you need to call 9-1-1 if you are in a car accident and can’t move. After you receive the treatment you need, then you can contact a Snohomish personal injury lawyer about your legal options.
Step Two
Gather information about the accident and what occurred. If possible, try to collect as much information at the scene right after the accident happens. Act quickly to prevent evidence from being damaged or lost. It’s also important because you might forget about vital information as time goes on. If you have your smartphone then use it to take pictures and notes about the accident. Discuss the accident with any witnesses at the scene and write down what they tell you.
Step Three
Officially document the accident and your injuries. There are likely specific procedures if it happens at work and you’ll want to involve the police if it’s a motor vehicle accident. It’s wise to have official documentation of the accident and what happened if you were injured. The documentation can help to validate your claim later on.
Step Four
Contact a personal injury lawyer in Snohomish county. You may feel hesitant to contact a lawyer, but as a victim, it’s the best next and final step. Most personal injury lawyers operate on a contingency basis. You shouldn’t have to worry about money at a time like this and it’s why you can call us for a free case evaluation. We understand what it takes to build a strong case and are experts at determining fair compensation for your damages and interpreting the laws and ordinances. Give Wells Trumbull a phone call today to evaluate your case.
Do You Have a Case?
Whether or not you have a personal injury case is a tough question to answer until we understand and learn more about your injuries. We will need to know details about how they occurred and what unfolded. We’ll need to work together to establish and prove a variety of components such as:
Existence of Duty of Care:
We must be able to prove that the at-fault party had a legal responsibility to act in a way that prevented you from suffering an injury. It means that any reasonable person would have acted the same in the same situation.
Breached Duty of Care:
The at-fault party might be held liable for your injuries if duty of care is not upheld.
Causal Link Between Duty of Care and Your Injuries:
It must be proven without a doubt that your injuries would not have occurred if there hadn’t been negligence on the part of the other party.
Damages From Your Injuries:
You must have damages that are linked to your injuries such as medical bills or other monetary damages. It may be possible that you can also pursue compensation for physical pain and emotional damages.
The best way to know if you have a personal injury case and need a personal injury lawyer in Snohomish County is to contact us today for a consultation. Our lawyers are prepared to review your case and determine if there is any percentage of fault for what occurred.
Comparative Negligence in Washington
Washington State follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This essentially means that even if you are partly to blame for your injuries, you might still be entitled to compensation. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault for an accident, and your total damages amount to $10,000. Based on this rule, you can still recover 80% (or $8,000) from the other party.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Washington State?
In Washington, you have three years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Failure to adhere to this timeframe could bar the injured party from receiving any compensation. This underscores the importance of acting promptly to secure evidence that can be pivotal in establishing fault and liability. It is essential to consult with experienced personal injury attorneys in Snohomish County who are well-versed in Washington State law, such as the civil statue of limitation law, to assess the merits of your case and guide you through the legal process.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Washington operates under the “at-fault” system, meaning the person responsible for the accident (or their insurer) pays for damages. But insurance companies can sometimes be tricky. They may offer a quick settlement that sounds appealing, but it is often less than what you deserve. That is where we come in. We are here to ensure your rights are protected, and you get every penny you are owed.
Why Hire an Experienced Snohomish Personal Injury Lawyer?
Most personal injury cases settle out of court without the need for a lengthy and expensive trial, saving you time, money, and stress. However, if the liable party or their insurance company does not offer you a satisfactory settlement, you may need to go to court to receive the compensation you deserve. In this case, you will need to be represented by a skilled attorney who will advocate fiercely on your behalf. Having an expert by your side can make all the difference. Clients who choose to navigate the legal maze without a law firm that specializes in personal injury law, are often overwhelmed and seldom recover all the compensation to which they are entitled.
How Much Compensation Can I Recover From a Personal Injury Claim?
The amount of a settlement or court award in a personal injury claim depends on your damages from the injury. “Damages” in a personal injury claim refer to the economic and non-economic consequences of the injury. Typical claims for damages include compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses for further injury treatment, physical therapy, and medications
- Reimbursement for lost income
- Future income loss or diminished earning capacity due to disability
- Pain and suffering
- Other non-economic damages that might apply in the case such as PTSD, anxiety, depression, disfigurement compensation, or compensation for loss of enjoyment of life due to severe injuries
Your personal injury attorney in Snohomish County will carefully calculate your damages to ensure you claim the maximum amount available for your injury.
Contact an Experienced Snohomish Personal Injury Lawyer at Wells Trumbull
Navigating a personal injury claim in Washington can be difficult, but with the right guidance, victims receive the full compensation they are entitled to for their injuries and suffering. Remember, every injury case, and every person is unique. At Wells Trumbull, our Snohomish County personal injury attorneys are more than just lawyers; we are your allies. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and to learn more about how we can help you ensure that justice is served.